Moving real slow on this build, due to a hectic spell at work and other unrelated issues... Did a lot of reading and shopping in the interim. The Reef Octopus Diablo XS 160 stayed in the running right till the end, but I ended up opting for the Vertex Omega 150 - ordered & should arrive in a few days. I wanted to settle on and get the skimmer before doing much else anyway since that is the biggest & tallest piece of equipment to go in the sump, so that I can make absolutely sure the stand and sump I build fit it without issues.
On another question, would an Eheim 1260 be enough of a return pump for a 75g with a 30g sump, or should I go for the 1262? (I've always been impressed with the reliability and quietness of Eheim pumps, even if they cost more than many other models). I don't know yet what the flow rate of the corner overflow on this tank is (Deep Blue 75g reef ready - not the rimless one). I figure a head height of about 4', straight up with only the one 90 degree bend at the top. At that head height the 1260 is supposed to deliver 475 gph, without taking the 90 bend into account. Add a foot for the bend and the rating drops to around 425 gph, which is still almost 6 times the tank volume, or about 28 times the water volume of a half full 30g sump, or about 4.7 times total (tank + half-full sump) volume.
